The Mysterious death of Romulus (Analysis)

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Cum magno fragore tontribusque
(With great noise and thunder) Although there are two nouns here, they are meant to be taken together as a single item. This is a literary device known as hendiadys. It helps to emphasis the ferocity of the storm.
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nec deinde in terris Romulus fuit
(And after that, Romulus was no longer on Earth) An unusually short sentence from Livy, with an obvious dramatic effect.
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Serena et tranquilla lux
(Clear and calm daylight) Another hendiadys- in complete contrast to the previous hendiadys (cum magno fragore tontribusque).
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metu icta maestum aliquamdiu silentium
(by a sad silence for sometime... by the fear) The alliteration of M's creates a sense of peace and silence. With the T's it creates a sound of choaking tears.
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Fides
(Credibility) This word is placed at the end of the sentence, although it is the subject. This shows that credibility was not there?
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immortalitatis
The passage began with Romulus' immortal works and ends with his own immortality.
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volens propitius suam semper sospitet
(He might always protect their descendants favourably and kindly) This repitition of S's is called a sibilance. It creates a soothing and calming effect. Or pehaps it creates a 'Shhh' sound to tell others to be silent during the prayers.
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Credo
(I believe) A personal statement from Livy.
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iubent... exposcunt
In lines 9 - 10, Livy uses the present tense. This adds to the vividness of the scene.
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his immortalibus editis operibus
(With these immortal tasks having been achieved) This is a 'neat blend of warlike and diplomatic practices' which Romulus has employed to bring Rome to its present status and which Livy has summarised in the proceeding chapter.
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apud plebem exercitumque... sit
(Among the people and the army was soothed) This shows that Romulus was a hero and was betrayed among the society as being 'God like'.
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sedato tandem pavore
(With panic at last allayed) The word 'tandem' is sandwiched in between 'sedato pavore.' This highlights the duration of panic. VIVID.
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sublimem raptum procella
(Seized on high by a whirlwind) Slightly comical cartoon theory that Romulus has been whisked up in the whirlwind (and presumably would bounce back down again in a moment) contrasted with the 'maestum silentium' when he does not reappear. VIVID.
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metu orbitatis
(The fear of bereavement) The key word choice plays to the image of Romulus as a 'father', which leaves them uncertain what they will do without him.
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proximi... procella
This creates an interesting sound - possibly a bit panicky due to alliteration of p/s/c/t?
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deum deo
(God born from a God) These two words are juxtaposed and expresses the vividness of Romulus' deification. It emphasises Romulus being God like.
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perobscura 'and' tacti
(Under - cover... secretly) This shows that the story is top secret and is tempered.
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discerptum...patrum manibus
(Torn to pieces by the hands of the senators) A violent suggestion and is very vivid.
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caelo repente delapsus
(Suddenly descended from the sky) This makes the story vivid - where did he come from?
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prima hodierna luce
(Today at dawn) This gives the sense that this was a fresh and vivid appearance.
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"Abi, nuntia"
("Go and announce") These words are imperatives. This shows authority.
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colant... sciant... tradant...
(let them practice... let them know... let them pass on...) These are present subjunctives and therefore gives a sense of an ordering tone.
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contra intueri fas esset
(that it might be lawful to look upon him face to face) This shows authority from Romulus and that he is well respected as a God. A sense of wonder by PJ.
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lenitum sit
(Soothed) This is one word to describe the reaction of the army and the people to the story.
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perfusus horrore
(filled with awe..) A natural response when meeting a ghost or God. The Latin word 'horror' and its equivilant verb meaning 'bristling' or 'shivering' - it is the feeling you get when the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.
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consillo... unius hominus
(thank to the idea of one man) One man's claim that he had met the ghost or resurrected form of Romulus. Livy's use of the word 'consillio', coming at the start of the sentence, suggests that this encounter was pure invention.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

nec deinde in terris Romulus fuit

Back

(And after that, Romulus was no longer on Earth) An unusually short sentence from Livy, with an obvious dramatic effect.

Card 3

Front

Serena et tranquilla lux

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

metu icta maestum aliquamdiu silentium

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Fides

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

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